Launch Failure
Liftoff Time (GMT)
01:10:00
Saturday December 19, 1981
Three coolant holes were accidentally plugged, resulting in an engine overheating four seconds after launch. The RSO destroyed the rocket after pitched out of control.
The GPS (Global Positioning System) or Navstar (Navigation System using Timing And ranging) were the first generation satellites of the GPS navigation system. The first two satellites were also called NDS (Navigational Development Satellite). The Block I satellites were positioned in the same orbital planes as the later Block II, but at an inclination angle of 63 degrees. Block I consisted of the original concept validation satellites and reflect various stages of system development. Lessons learned from the 11 satellites were incorporated into later generations.
Medium Earth Orbit
1 Payload
759 kilograms
8th
Mission
1st
Mission of 1981
123rd
Orbital launch attempt